Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you both for being here today. I want to start out with my perspective. I think, Mr. Jolly, you said in your opening statement that it was dumbfounding and dangerous, and I don't disagree. What's important to know, however, is that we don't see in advance what a witness might say. In fact, speaking for myself, as the testimony was happening, Mr. Alexander was referring to documents. I know that we were turning to each other and saying, “What documents?” Then, when we looked, I noticed that, on the committee day, we had received them at around 12:30, I believe—I can clarify that. On a given sitting day, I'm sure you can appreciate that I had not, and I think a number of our colleagues had not.... In that testimony, Mr. Alexander kept referring to “Stuart”, and I remember thinking that I needed to look at these documents.
I'm not downplaying anything, but I want you to know that I think we were equally confused and did not understand the connection. Mr. Bezan asked specific questions that then named you and that were eventually.... When I got home and was able to go through and read all of the documents, I saw that. This is not to make an excuse. It's just to outline the timeline from our perspective because I, too, was very confused about what was actually being alleged. From my perspective—and I can't speak for all colleagues—we had not seen it in advance.
I agree with the testimony of both of you with regard to a study on Russian disinformation. Our intention on this committee is certainly not to allow or purport the continuation of it. I just want to acknowledge that—again, not to dismiss the very real concerns but to paint a little bit of a picture of some of that same dumbfounding confusion that we were experiencing in real time. I certainly was experiencing it in real time, trying to get my eyes on those documents as we were also preparing questions while witnesses were sitting there.
Other colleagues can certainly speak to their experiences. However, just on that, you've mentioned, Mr. Pugliese, the extreme concern, the dangerous situation for your family and the increased security. I'm deeply sorry that you are experiencing that. That was one of my questions, but I want to ask another question.
In Mr. Alexander's opening remarks, he said, “Previous efforts to expose this journalist's long-running covert ties to Moscow have resulted in attempts to intimidate current and former Canadian parliamentarians, including my former colleague James Bezan as well as Canadian Army officials.” Are you aware of any of those efforts? Again, this testimony.... I've served on a committee with Mr. Bezan, on the national defence committee. I have never heard these accusations. Do you have any idea where that is coming from or why this was presented that day?